HOSPITAL HOLDS CANCER CENTER "TOPPING OFF"  CEREMONY
$26 Million State-Of-the-Art Facility Presently Under Construction

Trinitas Regional Medical Center recently commemorated the construction of its new $26 million state-of-the-art Cancer Center with a "Topping Off" ceremony on Wednesday, November 17, 2004. The ceremony included the placement of the last piece of structural steel, a 25-foot beam, that was signed by hospital staff, physicians and nurses.

Construction on the five-story Cancer Center is expected to be completed by late 2005. The new modern Cancer Center will provide 40,000 square feet of space for the hospital's Medical and Radiation Oncology programs, as well as additional future space for other hospital services such as endoscopy, cardiology and ambulatory surgery. The Center to be located on the Williamson Street Campus on the corner of South Broad Street, Pearl Street and Williamson Street, will connect to the main hospital.

"Our community, which is at a higher risk for cancer, deserves the best treatment available in the most convenient, state-of-the-art facility possible," explained Gary Horan, FACHE, Trinitas President and CEO. "This new Center will set the standard for cancer care in our region," he stated, noting that Trinitas provided more than 10,000 treatments to over 1,700 patients with cancer in 2003, representing an increase of 25 percent over the previous year.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ranks New Jersey 16th highest overall in cancer mortality among the 50 states and Washington, DC, while the cancer incidence rate in Union County is approximately 1% higher than in the rest of New Jersey. In addition, consultants evaluating Census data and American Cancer Society statistics predict a 5% increase in new cancer cases in the Union County area by 2007.

"At Trinitas Regional Medical Center, we know that it takes more than brick and mortar to cure cancer," said Horan. "It takes a lot of caring people, and the placement of this signed beam signifies that our entire hospital is committed to the treatment and cure of this often deadly disease."

Trinitas currently offers a full range of cancer treatment capabilities including radiation, medical oncology, chemotherapy, external beam radiation and surgery, as well as high dose rate brachytherapy and prostate seed implants. Diagnostic testing includes biopsy, MRI scanning, CT scanning, bone scanning, ultrasound, X-ray and laboratory testing. In 2003, the hospital installed a new CT-Simulator that is used to plan radiation therapy treatments, enabling physicians to "mock-up" or simulate treatment prior to the actual use of radiation.

Physicians in the department participate in clinical trials through the Radiation Therapy Oncology group, enabling patients to receive the most up-to-date cancer treatment options. Free community screenings for breast, prostate and cervical cancer are held regularly.

Palliative care and counseling is offered to patients and family members, and the hospital conducts multilingual outreach programs for the community to screen for breast, prostate, cervical and colon cancers and to educate community members about cancer detection and prevention. The hospital also sponsors the "Breast Health & You" program that targets women in the Hispanic Community. There are currently 45 breast health information groups targeting higher-risk populations, including African American and Hispanic women.

Recently, thanks to a grant from the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, North Jersey Affiliate, women with breast cancer who live in Union County can also receive wigs, breast forms and accessories from the "Made For Me" boutique at Trinitas Regional Medical Center. The program is offered to all women, regardless of ability to pay, and is available at Trinitas on the third Wednesday of each month, starting at 1:30pm.

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